Francestown's Labor Day Festival offers four days of fun

For more than 50 years the Francestown 5 Road Race has been a big part of the Francestown Labor Day event with a 5K and 8K event for kids and adults. (KATHLEEN BAGLIO HUMPHREYS/Union Leader Correspondent)

FRANCESTOWN — In its 97th year, the town's Labor Day Festival is still going strong with four days of family activities.

The town will host music and friendly sports competitions, bargains, food, parades and more from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“Labor Day is about our town getting together for events and having fun with lots of activities to raise money for a good cause. We have been raising money for a long time now to give back to the community for the past and the future,” said Charlie Pyle, president of the Francestown Improvement and Historical Society.

The festivities start with a contra dance Friday night headlined by Frank Woodward. Town hall will be rocking on Saturday night to Tony Ludwig and Lonesome Train to blues, rock and country and Western tunes.

Register at the town's website for a tennis tournament on Saturday; get dirty at the mud volleyball on Sunday or cross the finish line at the Francestown 5 road race or kid's race on Monday morning. The race has been a Labor Day tradition for more than 50 years.

“Monday starts with the road race and continues through the day. It is not just for Francestown but for the area to come and enjoy our town, maybe have something to eat and enjoy the parade,” said Pyle.

On Labor Day, the town common will be busy with a White Elephant sale, kid's games and lots of food. The Juried Arts and Crafts booths will be set up along Main Street. Browse for a good book at the FIHS Lodge or learn about Francetown's history at the FIHS Historical Rooms or the Thulander Building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

R.P Hale will be in concert staring at 11 a.m. while magician and juggler Scott Jameson will entertain the crowd.

The highlight of the weekend is the annual parade at 2 p.m. This year's theme is “Let's Take a Trip” with prizes for the best floats.
The Temple Band will perform patriotic tunes after the parade.

Two seatings for the Firemen's Supper will be at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Raffle winners will be announced at the dinner.

“We maintain history through records we keep and artifacts we hold and doing things for the town such as the summer flowers around common or the Christmas tree lighting. This summer we purchased two more benches for the common,” said Pyle.
Donations are welcomed for the White Elephant, rummage or book sale. Drop furniture off at Riley's Barn, 118 Main Street and Smaller items at Pyle's Barn, 169 Main Street. No electronics. Sorting times 5 to 7 pm. Volunteers welcomed.

For more information, go to francestownhistory.info or call Charlie Pyle at 547-3934 or email cmpyle@msn.com. To register for the road race, go to francestown5.com.